Republican-turned-Independent candidate for sheriff Mike Stauffer may have almost no money, little support and may be regarded as a massive joke by nearly everyone with a lick of sense in Maricopa County.

Nevertheless, he soon could be getting some indirect assistance from a new independent expenditure committee, one trumpeted by none other than Stauffer shill DeeDee Blase.

"Mike Stauffer is the only candidate for Sheriff with command experience and REAL law enforcement leadership skills," it states. "VOTE to give Arizona relief from the embarrassment of four more years of Joe Arpaio backwater justice."

Of Democrat Paul Penzone, the only serious candidate attempting to deny Sheriff Joe Arpaio a sixth term, the site has this to say:

"While Democratic Candidate Paul Penzone would be an improvement over Arpaio, he lacks the experience to organize and lead the nation's most infamous legal bureaucracy."

If Stauffer drops out now, he might have a chance to run against Penzone in the next election. However, if he spoils this election by splitting the vote against Apayaso he will NEVER be elected EVER to ANY position of government in MARICOPA COUNTY!!! He will be a hated individual and those associated with him as well. But - - - wait. What's that I hear? You say Apayaso has offered Stauffer a "Command" officer's position in charge of illegal immigrant roundups? Say it ain't so Mike, say it ain't so . . . . sobbing tears . disappointment, etc.

A PAC doesn't have to report the names of it's donors. So even Sheriff Arpaio himself can cut us a check thanks to Citizens United. So who cares if you Penzonions figured it out? There are enough people who don't read this rag or any other paper. They watch TV ads and see signs all over and thats all we need to beat Penzone. Sorry for your loss but I think it's funny and I can't wait for Joe's victory.

I have nothing personally against Mike Stauffer. West Kenyon and DeeDee Blase, on the other hand are up to no good, that I am certain of. Together, they have run a miserable train wreck of a campaign. No support, no strategy, no funding, no endorsements, NOTHING. It's embarrassing to watch the Stauffer campaign writhe around like a freshly salted snail. Sorry, but Stauffer's train left 9 months ago. Anyone who truly wants Arpaio out of office must get practical: Stauffer has zero chance to win - you must vote Penzone. I'm sorry if you feel Stauffer is the more qualified candidate. Guess what? IT DOESN'T MATTER NOW.

Show me one bit of PROOF, not rumor, that Mike Stauffer is in this election for the benefit of Arpaio. What I hear are all innuendos from Penzone's followers. Why are they so afraid of Stauffer? Is it because he really is a better choice for Sheriff? Could it be that his campaign chooses not to malign and smear his opponent? Could it be that Penzone really can't cut it on his own merits; but instead must impeach Stauffer's experience?

Show me proof. Until then, desist in your smearing a candidate for the sole purpose of discrediting him. This paper used to support Stauffer in the beginning of his candidacy and now that support is all for Penzone. What changed?

Responsibility and neutrality is ethical among professional journalists. "Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context." - SPJ Code of Ethics Save the negative comments for the opinion or editorial page. This article/blog is not news; just one person's opinion.

I suggest everyone look at those who are behind Penzone and their individual motives for pushing him on the voters. Penzone cannot stand on is own and must make inflammatory remarks about Stauffer. Concentrate more on those still loyal to Arpaio instead of taking down other candidates. This is MY OPINION (alas, not news).

@WhoKnows He obviously hasn't done the math. He would need to knock on about 1,000 doors a day and convince nearly every one of them to vote for him. In a county wide race its not about going out and meeting people as it is impossible to meet enough to win, you have to be on TV and reach large audiences at a time. Speaking of math, he is also basing his calculations on a 100% independent turnout and 100% of them voting for him...both so far fetched its just lunacy. He will be lucky if even 10% of independents vote (which would be an all time high).

@StaufferforSherrif But you have to register with the AZ Secretary of State AND you MUST file a campaign finance report.

ARS 16-902.01 REQUIRES your PAC to register with the SOS.

ARS16-913 REQUIRES your PAC to file a campaign-finance report with the SOS.

I think I'll file a public records request (ARS 39-121, BTW, allows me to do that) with the SOS to see if you've been in compliance with Arizona law and if you haven't, I will take it to MontyPug since Horne has a conflict of interest at the moment.

@StaufferforSherrif It's kind of universal. Everybody's figured it out. As pointed out in the article, even the mainstream media has not only figured it out, but is announcing it far and wide.

You don't seem to remember what happened to Oliva Cortes - 9 votes on election day. People resent attempts to fool and shill them, which is what you admit is going on with Stauffer: he's a sham supported by and for the benefit of Arpaio, who, as usual, plays as dirty as it gets.

@nojailforyou1 stauffer hasnt taken this seriously..at first he did, but he has not done enough to garner the votes needed. So, instead, he comes off as a spoiler like cortes. Im not accusing him of anything, but stepping aside now would solidify himself in the next election by acting not talking. What i mean is, setting aside his own agenda for the better good..IE getting arpaio out. That to me is a leader, someone who puts others before their own interests. He has acted like a spoiled little brat as of late, and so have those in his campaign. He can still get my vote in 4 years, but he has to do the right thing in the present to get my vote in the future.

It's that simple. Support for Stauffer is support for not participating in this election, giving Joe a pass. It's great for people for want Arpaio re-elected and hope to fool enough voters to see that we get four more years of Arpaio and all the encouragement that will give to other racists in our state.

@nojailforyou1 Well there's your problem, you came to the new times website with an unreasonable expectation of finding responsibility and neutrality. This is a free weekly circular; without bars, whores and head shops advertising on its pages, it would collapse overnight. The muckraking that you've mistaken for journalism is simply a device to put eyeballs on advertisements, and when it comes to muck, the yellower it is, the better it sells. I certainly hope that you've learned something here today and that you will pick up a bottle of booze, a glass bong, an eighth of an ounce of medical marijuana and whore for the evening and start enjoying your life.

@nojailforyou1 At the time of Joe's first run, he had no real experience in being the Shurff of a County as large as Maricopa. He seemed to overcome that obstacle, but then his head assploded.

Stauffer has command experience, but seems to have few that believe in him, his abilities or his vision.

Penzone seems to have a groundswell of support, and that will be needed to overcome the Sun City voters that think that Joe, being one of their own, needs help.

Don't piss on the messenger for the message being delivered. Stauffer cannot do what needs to be done, and Penzone might be able to. Stauffer could be the cause of Joke's re-election, not the reason it did not happen.

Drop out and support a probable contender, if you really, really want to see a difference. If Stauffer stays in the race it will show it was about him, not about us.

How and where do we donate to Penzone? I'd like to donate also, Stauffer DOES sound like a spoiled ass brat and those supporting him NOW will be shunned and hated if their tactics work to split the vote which lets Joe in again! Ugh!

@Guester@WhoKnows Independent isn't a party and people who register as independents are doing so for the simple reason that they don't want to be tied to one party, particularly in primary races not because they plan on voting an non-existent Independent ticket.

Stauffer would know that if he had half a brain. Or he does know that but doesn't care because he's trying to get Joe re-elected.

Stauffer's has no intention of winning this race. Stauffer's only purpose is to insure an Arpaio victory.Doesn't anybody find it curious that it took so long for Stauffer to retire from SPD ? I suspect that Stauffer waited until he received some kind of assurance from Arpaio reguarding a future position within his administration..........Stauffer will more than likely be Arpaio's new Henderhog.

www.penzone2012.com Go to the wbsite and read up,checkout all the people endorsing Penzone,donate and spread the word. Arpaio must be defeated for the publics safety and most of all for our childrens safety.